Another week in Africa

It’s been a long while since I last put finger to keyboard and wrote something here – but it has been a busy old time.

The weather continues to be glorious. The winter has been fine and crisp, and temperatures have been wonderfully warm. But the first small signs of spring are breaking through, like a lazy bear after a winter hibernation, spring is making its presence felt – but slowly and groggily. The winds have started to blow slightly more, and today we had a build up of thunder clouds that ultimately didn’t lead to rain, but looked like a perfect dress rehearsal for the summer thunderstorms that inevitably will follow soon.

Today started off glorious and warm – and Felix our cat took advantage of a lazy morning on the stones of the patio. And looking around the garden I noticed how the statue I had taken a photograph of just a few days ago, was now engulfed by a fury of little purple flowers – eager to secure her dignity.

The last week has involved several more visits to the geese at the large pond down the road. They appear to be getting used to us now, and are starting to recognise us. As soon as they see us arrive they start waddling hurriedly and noisily, soon breaking into a run, and almost beginning to fly toward us, eager to get their share of the bread we have. Most recently we were treated to a “naval attack” as they were all on the far side of the pond, and when they saw us began swimming and then flowing across the pond, coming to a halt with a splash of wings and skiing on their feet – like a living re-enactment of the Spruce Goose.

My car has been well utilised over the last two weeks. It is a pleasure to drive and really is comfortable and efficient.

Last week I went flying again for the first time in a very long time. The first ten minutes were very rusty, and despite actually being in command for the take off, I only really felt comfortable a few minutes into the flight. I am progressing well and will be “in the circuit” in a few lessons time. Having been more responsible for landing this last lesson than at any previous occasion, I think I am a bit concerned. But at the same time I am really excited – Mike the Pilot feels almost in touching distance now!

Spring has sprung

It's that time of the year - or at least it is in the Southern Hemisphere...

Having endured some really torrid weather in Cape Town last weekend, and seen the Eastern Cape get lashed on Monday and Tuesday, it was wonderful to end the week with some really beautiful weather in Johannesburg. The mervury climbed steadily throughout the week, and eventually today we have a temperature of very close to 30 degrees - and that's just the start of Spring!

But it really is a beautiful time of year.
On Friday I was away from the office early in the morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee at a coffee shop local to my office - but outside, in the morning air. There were small finches all around us, tweeting and chatting as they enjoyed some seed specifically left out for them. The whole scene somehow made the office seem much further away.

On Friday afternoon - with out finance ledger system having finally given up the ghost, after threatening to do so for most of the week, I was out for lunch with Ulricha, at a resturant overlooking a small lake. There were a few water fowl at the edges, that after the meal we went to see, and even a family of ducks with a shy brood of little ducklings - and a rather angry parent, concerned that I was getting too close for my photo shot.

It's that time of year when I am looking around and seeing all kinds of beauty in nature - and even in the inanimate. The statue at the top of this piece is in Ulricha's parents garden, and just looked so stoic on Friday when I took the picture.

This really is just the beginning of Spring, but it promises to be quite some Spring, and seemingly a very warm Summer.

But we do need the rain - oh how we need the rain!